Take the flu test’

Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before their symptoms

By Betsy Cross

The Herald News, Fall River, MA

By Betsy Cross

Posted Dec. 13, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 13, 2013 at 1:19 PM

By Betsy Cross

Posted Dec. 13, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 13, 2013 at 1:19 PM

Natick

» Social News

I am sucker for taking tests. You know the ones, they are in magazines, online and sometimes your friends will email them to you. “How Good of a Friend are You?” “Are You Saving as Much as You Should for Retirement?” “What is the Best Color for Your Skin Tone?” They are harmless and fun, but, I came across one the other day that’s actually pretty important. The Centers for Disease Control has a Flu I.Q. quiz on their website (www.cdc.gov) that gives some great information. Visit the site and see how you do. Here’s the quiz with the correct answers.

1The flu vaccine can’t give you the flu.

True: The flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness. The viruses in the vaccine are either killed (the flu shot) or weakened (nasal spray vaccine), which means they cannot cause infection.

2 The stomach flu and influenza are the same thing.

False: “Stomach flu” is a popular term for stomach or intestinal disease, whereas the flu is a respiratory (lung) disease. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat and muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can also occur with the flu but are more common in children that adults.

3 Getting the flu vaccine in December or later is not too late.

True: The CDC recommends that people get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine becomes available and that vaccinations continue into December, January and beyond. Influenza activity usually peaks in February most years, but disease can occur as late as May.

4 People should get vaccinated against the flu every year.

True: The CDC recommends yearly vaccination for two reasons. First: new flu vaccines are made each year and are often updated to fight against the three influenza viruses research suggests will be most common. Second: immunity declines over time, so a yearly vaccination is required for optimal protection.

5 Washing your hands is the best thing you can do to protect against the flu.

False: The CDC recommends the flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. However, preventive actions like covering your mouth and washing your hands often are important everyday steps that can help stop the spread of germs.

6 The flu is typically spread through coughs and/or sneezes.

True: Flu virus is mainly spread through droplets of coughs and sneezes.

7 The flu is not a serious illness.

False: Flu is a serious contagious disease that causes illness and related hospitalizations and deaths every year in the United States. Flu seasons can vary in severity. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-related deaths range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.

Page 2 of 2 -
8 The flu vaccine is available as a shot or a nasal spray.

True: Flu vaccine is also available as a nasal spray. The nasal spray vaccine is an option for healthy people 2-49 and who are not pregnant. “Healthy” indicates those who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.

9 You can spread the flu to others before you have symptoms.

True: Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before their symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. That means you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

10 There is no treatment

for flu.

False: There are prescription medications called “antiviral drugs” that can be used to treat the flu. Antivirals are not a substitute for getting a flu vaccine. A yearly flu vaccination is the first and best way to prevent the flu.

Betsy Cross is director of development for the Natick Visiting Nurse Association, a not-for-profit health care organization providing home care to thousands of people throughout MetroWest each year. For more information, call the Natick VNA at 508-653-3081 or visit www.natickvna.org.